<p>As a parent I seem to be having a range of emotions waiting for those final acceptance/rejection letters from the colleges. Why is that? Shouldn't I be the calming factor in my student's life? I hope this is normal. I am pretending to be calm. Any of their school choices are fine with me. Maybe it's the financial aspects, four years of finding monies. Maybe it's not having them around next year..empty nest.</p>
<p>What have others experienced when their child/children went through this process? Does it get easier with the next child in line? </p>
<p>Most of us felt most of, if not all of what you are feeling. It’s a roller coaster for sure. Pride, sadness, irritation, joy, excitement and a lot of anxiety all characterize my feelings this time last year. Also throw into the mix that if you have never gone through it before you may be worried that you are doing it “wrong.” </p>
<p>It gets better but don’t expect your feelings to untangle until… oh heavens maybe they never do. Parenting is forever in one degree or another isn’t it?</p>
<p>With five acceptances in hand, four with merit money, and lots of other options still out there, I’m feeling pretty well. Ds has done an admirable job compiling a list, applying, pursuing scholarships, etc. I do find myself melancholy at times, like today. That’s because tonight his final sports season starts, a sport he’s been playing since he was 4. Also, as I hear where his friends are going I’m both excited and sad. One of my favorites is going to West Point and I’m so proud of him and at the same time worried about him because, well, that’s what moms do, right?</p>
<p>I’m not sure why I’m not too wound about the upcoming decision letters. I guess because we already have several good options in hand. </p>
<p>I think I’m pretty good at hiding the waterworks from ds and the rest of the family, but I’d already told ds months ago that any tears are not a reflection of doubts in him but sadness that I won’t get to see him every day.</p>
<p>I’m excited about this process because when I was going through it as a teen, my parents had no clue about what was going on. I had never set foot on a college campus until one of my friends suggested we tour in the fall of our senior year! I applied to only one school - a state school in our city and my only regret is not being informed enough to know if I had choices. I did enjoy my experience at that state school, though, and made life long friends.</p>
<p>From my own experience, I decided that my kids would be educated on the whole process. For my son, it meant encouraging him to find seek out info as he went through school. For my daughter, it has been different. She appreciates seeing the whole picture and planning ahead. All I want is for them to know that wherever they end up, they chose to be there. (Of course, the colleges have to choose them, too.)</p>
<p>I’ve been feeling the whole range of emotions you listed. Right now, I’m enjoying the feeling of RELIEF and JOY that my son has made a choice. But I have another child who is a rising jr and I will have to start all over again!</p>
<p>I’m a wreck, and with every day that goes by without an envelope, I get wreckier. </p>
<p>My son appears to be much calmer about the admissions situation; his anxiety is more about getting to the HS finish line in good shape–which I think is exactly as it should be.</p>
<p>2 years ago, DD has all RD applications except one rolling for state U. Since she was the first one from our family, the uncertainty really got me. Had she not gotten some early notices from WashU etc, I might not make it throuht that March. </p>
<p>This time, I am calm and feeling somewhat “regret”. </p>
<p>Learning from DD’s process, I went 180 in the other direction with DS this time. I gave him a credit card and a list of schools I think he should apply. “this is your application process, go do what you want to do, ask for help if you need any”. </p>
<p>Well, he turned it a total of 5 applications (extremely top heavy). For all different reasons, he did not/could not apply any scholarship at state U. So, here we are. One more month to go. what if I pushed just a little bit, what if … … </p>
<p>Even though S1 applied to more schools than most kids, I’m still second-guessing myself as to whether he should have applied to more match schools that would have given him more money or even full-ride.</p>
<p>I wish I could say it gets easier, but as S waiting on grad school decisions, I still feel anxious. I offered to pay for applications to some safeties, 1 of which was Mom’s choice. However, every school requires an interview, so the ones of less interest fell by the wayside. </p>
<p>Easier, 'cuz he did all applications and financial forms. I am also of little help, as I don’t know the strength of his dept in various schools.</p>
<p>I’ve learned so much from CC, and have been able to help many others. I didn’t discover CC until S had applied to college.</p>
<p>Every day has me finding new thoughts and emotions I hadnt had before or had thought I already conquered. Fortunately D is not as anxious as her mom (or at least very good at hiding it)! I hide it well too, and my husband lets me vent it all out when I need to (the what if this, I wish we just knew this, this would mean this, etc). I have anxious down like a science And I know in a few months when we do know and a decision has been made Ill find all new things to be thinking of but right now I cant imagine getting to that point.</p>
<p>I know shell have great choices, she already does, but even though shes my oldest and ready for the next step, shes still my little girl and Im not quite ready for it! I feel like I did my job well but that doesnt mean I ever thought this day would actually arrive!</p>
<p>Today starts the last crew season shell row for her high school. In one week we hit March which seems to scream April which just screams graduation speeding closer. But Ive always wanted to stop time and hold on to where we are right now, even though the ride has been wonderful, each new adventure great and the ride is no where over yet!</p>
<p>I’ve been through it twice with one more to go in a couple years. I think the angst originates from knowing our kids so thoroughly that we can appreciate all those facets that make them so special. But when those facets get condensed down to 250-word short answers, a lot of the wonderful stuff, by necessity, is missing. If all our kids apply to several schools that constitute good matches, they should get into a good fit that meets their needs. But if that condensed version of themselves in print doesn’t convey the true scope of their ability or accomplishments, then (we fret) they might not find a match somewhere that they belong.</p>
<p>I am pretending to be calm too, but then spend all my free time on CC trying to allay my fears and anxieties. I just want my child to be happy with her options (deferred from ED1 school so still waiting on that as well), and then be happy with her selection. That’s all I ask for, and the uncertainty is just killing me. I think it must be a taste of what it will be like being the parent of an adult when everything is outside your control. Bit by bit as our children grow we give up control. This is one of the last things that happens while they are still in our nest, and it is killing me that I can’t just KNOW how it will turn out. Very impatient. Probably as much a growing experience for me as it is for her. I hope this makes it easier to survive the next two times I have to do this.</p>
<p>Momof10of13of15, you have it easy - you still have another 9 (or 12?, or 14?) in the nest!</p>
<p>But seriously, now that our two oldest have been out for going on four and two years, I’m really appreciative of the technologies of our times that make it possible to stay in touch. The emptying nest has been easier for my wife and me to handle than I’d feared.</p>
<p>I am excited about it all - from decisions financial aid packets, to admitted student days, my (only) daughter making her choice, graduation, summer, orientation, move-in, and college. I feel totally ready for her to go off to college and start on her path. I keep expecting to feel sad that she is leaving home but I haven’t yet. I think the fact that she is planning to stay close to home is comforting to me because I know that we can still see each other when we want.</p>
<p>gadad - you hit the nail on the head with not knowing if the adcoms can see who she is with just an app and we just have to hope they do! I’ve never done well with uncertainty either so that just makes it more complex but it is so nice to hear everyone else’s responses and know I am not alone! :)</p>
<p>And only really 5 more years in the nest since youngest is class of 2015 But I refuse to think about that quite yet and am glad I have a bit of a breather with my 2013er!</p>
<p>Both my kids applied at the same time… My D promptly got an EA acceptance with merit money and that made everything else much easier. My S applied during his HS junior year, to just two schools, and didn’t care which of them he got into; his “safety” was to stay in HS another year. Once the apps were in, we were all fairly relaxed. But getting my son’s last app in on time was an experience and a half. It was due in Jan 1; on Dec 23 we were leaving for Australia (in the evening). The morning of the 23rd, he said “oh, I guess I should finish this before we go.” Finish!? He hadn’t started. It took all four of us to get all the paperwork organized (proofread, printed, etc.) and ready to mail that afternoon. S did all the writing; the rest of us handled it from there, filling out routine stuff, that kind of thing. He was accepted to that school.</p>
<p>My D was accepted to her #1 choice in December EA, so the rest of this process has been a bit of a let down. Three years ago my S was accepted EA to a school high on his list, but he was more interested in some of the rest. A likely letter in February came from the school where he ultimately enrolled, and that was interesting because we never knew the school sent likely letters to non-athletes. I think my D has no interest in attending any of the other schools, now that she has the one. I had to remind her to make sure mid-year reports get in to the rest. The process is definitely more laid back this time around.</p>
<p>Outwardly, I am super-excited for my D. I had an amazing college experience and I know she will too. She will be fine wherever she goes. She is a great girl who is able to make good decisions. I am proud of her and I trust her. Inside, I am a wreck. She will be working at her sleepaway camp this summer, then home probably a week or less before going to college. So she will basically be gone in mid-June. I bring myself to tears just thinking about it We are really close, and I know we will be in touch constantly when she is away, but it is going to be really hard for me (not that I will ever let her really know).</p>
<p>For now, I am focusing on those letters… and there are three more decisions to come. Another 6-7 weeks, duing which time I need to figure out the financial end of things (by myself really). So the stress will probably overtake the internal sadness.</p>
<p>At least my S will be home for three more years and I can start doing college visits with him soon. I am looking forward to quality time with him.</p>
And I know in a few months when we do know and a decision has been made Ill find all new things to be thinking of but right now I cant imagine getting to that point.</p>